Changing our lives....

Sessie

Surprise! I got upstairs last night and just FLOPPED into bed. Thought I'd snooze for 10 mins and then at least drink the hot milk - didn't wake up until 1 am when Girlchild was having a grizzle.

They were both awake a couple of times in the night and it was pretty cold in the nursery so I did remember today to put the fleece blankets on the cots under the fitted sheets. Laundered ALL their sheets and blankets and remade the beds all snuggly. They had a nice warm bath and a hot meal after a day at the playcentre (ball pools, slides etc...) and we put them in clean, nice smelling, tidy cots an hour ago. Have just been up as they were making a lot of noise - the cots are just RANSACKED, stuff EVERYWHERE! Grrrr.

Managed to get the rest of the washing through today - most stuff is now drying on the tops of doors - upstairs and down! - which is saving using the tumble dryer. Am trying to keep that for emergencies now. I know it will get used now and again in heavy weeks of washing but at least I'm TRYING to cut down the use of it.

Went to Mr T's and another shop (JKSY, JYSK? Can never remember!) to see if they had cot bed duvet covers - just so we have one for each of them until I get mine made but neither had them. Refuse to pay Mothercare/Toys R Us prices - might have a check on Ebay after I post this but am pretty tired (again) so might not! Mum had phoned earlier too to say they'd seen sets in BnQ which had a cot bed duvet, a pillow and a pillowcase and duvet cover in for £20. Our store only had girls' stuff on display but they were asking about boys' stuff too. Wish I'd said yes now! However, we don't really want to spend anything at the mo until the car has been in on Tuesday, just in case there's anything big that needs doing.

There is the MOT and whatever needs doing if they find anything and then the tax still to pay. After that, we are done with all the big things for the year - apart from Xmas. So fingers crossed the car does us proud and hasn't got anything major that's not working!

Forgot also to mention that I've been surreptitiously watering down a few things in the house - and not telling Mr Sessie. Examples: shampoo and conditioner, washing up liquid, fabric conditioner, soap in the dispensers in the en-suite and kitchen, baby bath (yes, even though it's only a quid, it can still do the job watered down a bit!). Haven't bought any of those things - except baby bath and only cos it was in the pound shop! - since WAY before I started all this frugality and don't think I'll need much this side of Xmas as we always bought them when we shopped, never checked first to see if we had any in - which we always did! Whilst that was extravagant, it was kind of a blessing in disguise as we now have TONS! :T

Another thing to do this week that needs putting in BOLD because I keep forgetting to do it, even though I've done the darn list of questions for him is:

RING THE FINANCIAL ADVISOR to make an appt and briefly go through what we want to talk about and ask what paperwork he would like us to have ready when he comes.

Right, it sounds quiet upstairs so I'm going to go up AGAIN and try to actually have a bit of a read of that copy of SHE. So far it's been brought downstairs, not touched and taken back up, brought back down and looked at for about three minutes and taken back up. The next issue will be out before I get past the contents page at this rate!!

Oooh finally, read/heard somewhere about them wanting to re-introduce the "money back for handing in used bottles" thing from years ago. Didn't get much more than that but if that comes back in I foresee Sessie and the twins doing a regular daily trip up and down the long lane near to us that's the school run (big school) making money out of the lazy messy so-and-so's that make the road such a mess day in day out by slinging their rubbish everywhere. Don't care if I look like a tramp - money in is money in!

Right I'm off. May make tomorrow my night for catching up on the other posts so may not post myself but I shall try to be more regular than of late. Still, I might be talking to myself now, people will have thought I quit or something after being away for a week. Ah well, so long as I have others' posts and ideas, I'm happy!

x

Sessie

AAAAARRGGH!!! :mad:

Just when you think you're starting to get somewhere and become more organised and savvy with money, THHHWWWWAAAACCCK!! something comes and smacks you in the teeth!!

In our case, the darn car!!! Oh it got through it's MOT with a couple of minor things (windscreen wipers, a headlight bulb) BUUUUT the engine warning light.... means we need a new catalyctic converter!!! How much are they you ask? Oh... only SEVEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY POUNDS!!! :mad:

We don't have to get this done right away, we can save for it over the next few months but...GRAAARRGGH! Still, I suppose this is reminding me precisely why I started on MSE.. the fact that we didn't have a slush fund for things like this. Just a shame I haven't had sufficient time to build one up to deal with this issue eh??

We also need a new back tyre in the next couple of months as the tread is getting close to the minimum legal limit - our dealer quoted us £115 for this but we know we can get them cheaper than that.

So, paid £120 for the MOT, engine light check and ad hoc bits yesterday. That was around what I was expecting so that was covered, UNLIKE the other thing!!

Today I've actually phoned the Financial Advisor - he's coming on Mon 4 Oct at 10 am - I briefly went through what we want to talk about and asked what docs he needs us to have ready so I can be prepared. (need to learn how to cross through typing on here so I can "cross that off" the list of "to do"s above!).

Have put a load of washing through this morning, when I had it on spin the machine was making a rattly noise. Normally this means a screw or something has fallen out of hubby's pockets (he's an electrician) but I've emptied the drum and can't see anything. Will get him to have a look at it tonight but if that's broken too I think I'm going to cry!

Going to have to make a "sling it all together" meal today for today and tomorrow (company coming over for tea) as we are a bit low on things because I didn't go shopping at all last week. Lesson learned - can go HALF a week without shopping when we've got a lot of stuff in but not quite two weeks!

Oh also today I phoned the nursery school I want to enrol the children in next year (I know it seems early but need to get them down now to ensure they get in!). I have filled in the forms they need but can't decide now whether to send them all mornings, all afternoons or 2.5 days. Things are changing at the end of the year when mum gives up her job so they agreed I could send the forms back now and put a letter in saying "I'll let you know that bit in the New Year when we see how things lie". I'd rather do that and get the forms back than risk losing them or forgetting. So will send those back today.

Had a HUGE row with Mr Sessie yesterday as the garage light has been out for a couple of weeks now and I'm forever in there sorting cardboard for the radiator project, the recycling, food out of the freezer, big toys for the children when it's dry outside. He keeps saying, "I'll sort it... I'll sort it.." but hasn't. Row culminated in me saying I will not mention it again but if it gets to the point where it's dark at 4 pm and there's still no light I will PAY an electrician to come and do it as I can't do without. Ball's in his court now. I know that's not very MSE but he will SO resent someone else doing it that I'm sure it will work!!

'kay, must dash for now - hopefully will be back tonight as have quite a lot to say!

x

Sessie

Okay, having caught up with the Getting Ready for Winter thread I'm back again.

The sloe gin is a gorgeous ruby red already - not tempted to try it as I don't drink (and even when I did, many moons ago, HATED gin!) but may ask mum to "test" it tomorrow as a treat for her!

Spent Monday night looking at all sorts of sites for sloe gin recipes and other things you can use sloes for (pre and post gin soaking!). Found quite a lot of things surprisingly. Am going to make mum and dad a hamper for part of their Xmas present. Am going to ask at work if anyone buys those small bottles of wine (the ones with about 2 glasses of wine in) and if so, can they let me have the bottles. I will then (when it's ready) decant the sloe gin into those - should have enough for at least six, maybe more.

Then there is a shop in town - which I found from reading the local "this is what's in your town, how don't you know this when you've lived here all your life?" magazine. Had NO clue it was there but they do little miniature bottles of whatever wine, spirit, flavoured oil, vinegars etc.. you like. So I have a few recipes for sloe gin cocktails. I will get miniatures of the other drinks needed to make them - enough for one drink each for mum and dad - and write the recipe for the cocktail on a little card (like those you put on Xmas pressies, that open like a book) and bundle the miniatures together with pretty string/tape and sit them in a box/basket with the wine bottles of sloe gin. Then they have all these different options to try whenever the mood takes them! I hope you get what I mean. Need to think of a name to stencil on the box lid- something like "The Falling Down Box" ....! :rotfl:

Also reading (from the Occasions Board) a thread about edible gifts and have written down a few of those recipes to make and pile the results in cellophane and ribbon so they look a bit like the Ferrero Rocher pile in the advert.

Today, managed to find some mince in the freezer - though it was a mix of pork and beef!! - and made a shepherd's pie with TONS of veg in. A lot of the veg wouldn't have made it past another couple of days and pre-MSE I'd have slung the lot out (realising that today made me quite angry at the pre-MSE me!). Added stock, Marmite (two teaspoons in the hot stock REALLY brings out the flavour), tin of Mr M's chopped tomatoes, tomato puree and stuck it in the oven for a hour. Served with boiled spuds from Mrs Next-Door's veg delivery that she gave me. The kids WOLFED it down and asked for more - which was great cos when Mr Sessie asked how many veg were in it - as he could see loads of different ones - there were NINE!! Don't say my children didn't get their five a day today (though I might pay for it in the nappies tomorrow! ).

There is some left, enough for the children tomorrow certainly but it didn't make enough to last for tomorrow night - we have my sis and her other half coming - still not actually quite sure what to make them!! HOWEVER, mum and dad's freezer went off last night so they have put all their contents into MY freezer until the weekend ... so... perhaps Sis and OH will be eating courtesy of mum and dad!! .

We are having a bit of a make-do week as we can't get shopping until at least Monday night (I know I'm here now but I don't drive and Mr Sessie is STILL at work!). We have enough in to cope (and then some if we want to eat pasta for every meal!) but I have learned that I DO need, at least, to do a "basics" shop even if I think we're OK and don't need a "full" shop!

Long post - time for my usual break and refill!

x

Sessie

:mad::mad::mad::mad:

AAAAAAAAAAARGH!

Just did a HUUUUGE post and then when I went to hit backspace, I must have caught something else and I've lost the LOT!

Happened to me before and I thought, "ALWAYS select all the draft post and "copy" so it doesn't happen again".

Course, I didn't do it did I?

Am too tired to post it all again. Tired and mad. Grrr.

Night y'all.

x

Sessie

So Thursday was an NSD – TICK! Been a while since I’ve had any of those – ticks OR NSDs - well, I’ve had them, just not had the time to note them down here! Got two lots of washing done, dried and put away (line-dried so good enough for me and no ironing needed! Woohoo!).

Had the rest of the make-do meal from yesterday – had cancelled sis and bf as Mr Sessie is full of cold and my back has been giving me real problems of late (part of the reason for not so much posting, by the time the children are in bed I have to go too as it hurts so much).

So, now it’s time to get a bit deep regarding “Finances and The Future”! (da-da-DAAAA!).

At the end of the year circumstances are changing within our family which will mean that I can change my working hours and hopefully (more than likely) do a few more hours. The children will be older and easier (ha!) for my parents to look after but the cost of having them (with apologies for making them sound like rabbits or something!) will be increasing. Damn then if they don’t want new shoes and clothes every few months!! AND apparently I have to feed them EVERY day!!

Need to decide which days I want to ask work to change my hours to. Within this decision (apart from my parents’ input on what will suit them best for having the children) is the question of nursery (I mean nursery school, pre-school, whatever.. not nursery care because I work). We have to decide whether we want the children to go five mornings or five afternoons. Another choice is 2.5 days and THEN if we go down THAT route, do we want all day Monday and Tuesday and half a day Weds, or half a day Weds and all day Thu and Fri?! Once all THAT is decided I need to fit my working hours around it all so that I get at least SOME time when the children are either with mum and dad or at nursery when I’m not at work so I can do all the housework (ironing with two toddlers around? Not easy!), shopping (ditto!) etc… Also need to look into what effect increasing my hours will have on the tax situation to make it worth my while –ie; if a few hours extra work would be swallowed up in tax, is it worth it or will I have to increase even more to make it pay?

Another aspect that will affect the above is that I need to learn to drive. The school is about two, maybe three miles away and whilst it’s walkable at a push, I need to be realistic. Am I going to get them both to walk that far, EVERY day – at least at first when they’re only 3? What about winter or really rainy days? The buses are really irregular early on in the day as we aren’t in a town so the car is the only option. So from SOMEWHERE we have to find the cost of lessons – although I have vouchers for 5 which I got as a present (last year, blush!) – and I have to find the ability to actually pass!! Then we have to consider the increased insurance (not going to be cheap adding me on having never driven before and being 40!).

Work has been a great escape (ooh, that’s a good name for a film….) for me – whilst I love my children to death, sometimes I just long for an ADULT day. A day without cleaning bottoms and faces, without screaming and yelling (even if it’s the good-natured type!), a day without the BLOODY Fimbles!! - but lately it’s becoming as hard as being at home. I am in quite a small department in my Firm – I used to do a more responsible job but since having the children I’ve gone back part time in a more administrative role. The pay is enough to “ prop up my end” of the bills so to speak (ie; cover the shortfall between hubby’s pay and the monthly bills etc…) and the job is easy enough and it’s nice to be among adults and not have soggy biscuit in my hair and have to sing “Old MacDonald” again (though on some days at work…. @_@!).

However, there’s a girl in our Department who is just so unbelievably arrogant and up herself – she’s impervious to comments about it, just thinks everyone’s inferior to her and flings out any work she doesn’t want to do to everyone else, is snide about people behind their back and nice as pie to their face (tried to use the word beginning with "bit.." but MSE doesn't like it!), snaps and… just makes life unpleasant. We’ve all had a go AT her, we’ve all tried talking TO her nicely (one on one, in the unlikely event that she “doesn’t realise” how she’s coming across), we’ve all tried approaching our “Manager” (Ha! If ever there was anyone with a more UNSUITED job title it’s our “Manager”!)… to no avail. So there’s always this simmering tension just waiting for her next explosion. She’s no more superior than any of us (in fact, if anyone can pull rank it’s me – I’ve been with the Firm 13 years, I’m almost twice her age!) and yet she just gets away with it. The Manager doesn’t want to…”make life more difficult by having a go at her because then she might be worse!”. Translation: ”I’m scared of her but I’m hiding behind the pretence of protecting YOU to cover it.” So what was a nice break from the children and a way to earn my end of the crust is becoming as stressful as being at home!!

I don’t want to leave as the job suits me – the hours (on the whole) suit me, I know what I’m doing, I know the people, the location is good for home… and basically why should I leave just because of her?? Grrr…

Have stockpiled lots of cardboard for the radiator project (as it’s now rather grandly called). Need to nag… I mean.. ASK Mr Sessie for his tape measure (always in his work van) so I can do the measurements – was hoping to get that done this week but… whaddya know? It’s Friday and it’s not done! Nor are most of the other things on the list I made on Monday! Bad Sessie! Bad!

Am at work all today (Sat) and we are going to a (free!) event at a local attraction on Sunday – all about gardening, cooking etc… there’s scarecrow making for the children and a BBQ (here’s praying for the weather to behave!) but I’m hoping to pick up a lot about growing veg as there are stands and information and also some more cooking ideas as there’s a “how to use up everything” demonstration plus loads of other stuff. It will probably be one of the last full days outside for the children now the weather is turning so hoping to have a good day. Lord KNOWS when I’m going to find the time to shop and it’s getting a bit desperate in Sessie’s cupboards!!

Also, at some point next week, need to get the children some winter shoes (and some wellies so we can go jumping in puddles and walking in wet leaves! Really looking forward to doing that with them – then going home for a bath and hot chocolate and a snuggle in a duvet on the sofa afterwards). It’s all CHA-CHING – but sadly OUT! - for Sessie at the mo – sob!!


More later.


x


PS: I copied and pasted this post from an email I did in my break on Friday night and for some stupid reason it won't change font to match the rest. Will sort this out later.

amber03

Hi sessie,

love reading your blog especially about your little ones, brings back memories of when my lads were little [now adults and leaving home]. At times it was hard and money was very tight but would go back to those times if i could.

Your boss must be related to my boss or unless one of the qualifications to be a boss is to hide behind your staff am a firm believer in what goes around comes around. So cannot wait for my boss to get her comeuppence.

Hang in there sessie if things get tough come and blow off steam here.

Big Hug.

Sessie

Hi Amber, welcome to the madness!

So today the little DARLINGS decided we all needed to be up, dressed and eating toast .... at 5.40 AM!!! :mad:

Still, as we weren't going out until 10.30 this meant I had time to:

Brush and wash the kitchen floor PROPERLY, including the cat mat I bought and their new dishes, all the skirting board and cat flap (Gaaah, that's STILL not sorted and it's getting colder every day!!).
Put a load of washing on and bring a load in from the line (most of which, again, had dried good enough to be put away straight away with no ironing - WIN!!).
Sort all the recipes I've been pulling out of here and there into one pile to be put in the recipe folder in some order at some point (that's a really specific "to do" isn't it?? ).
Put all the other dried folded washing away.
Have a lovely hot shower and dry my hair (doesn't happen very often, usually dash in, quick wash, get out as children banging on shower door, let hair dry naturally, cry at how bad it looks!).
Change, dress and wash snot from face of Boychild (Mr S does Girlchild). Then five mins later wash snot from face of Boychild. Then again two minutes later. You're getting the drift that he has a cold now yes??

Mum, dad, both sisters, Mr Sessie's mum and dad and their other grandson all arrived at 10.15ish and we all went off in a little convoy to this Big Green Festival at a local attraction. Took younger sis off to one side as I want her help with my new project - it's not MSE in that it's probably going to COST me a bit (but as little as I can do it for, and it should be easy to keep the cost low) but it IS something I've got from this site (from the Special Occasions Board) and I think it's a WONDERFUL idea and can't wait to do it!

Basically, it involves two elves "arriving" at our house on 1 December (toys) on a sleigh (which I will make out of cardboard/tinsel etc..). Will put it outside the front door before I bring the children down and then ring the doorbell and get Mr Sessie (who isn't in on this, want it to be a surprise for him too) to answer the door where he will find said elves on their sleigh with a "letter from Santa" saying the elves are coming to live with us until Xmas Eve as it's very busy at the North Pole. Then, over the next 23 days they "get up to mischief" in the night when we're all asleep - ie; they "bake cakes" (which I will be doing anyway after the children have gone to bed) so when we get up in the morning there are cakes on the kitchen side, but flour and stuff everywhere, or they climb the Xmas tree or hang underwear off it or... all sorts of other stuff. Also, they sometimes have a small present for the children when they wake up - just a picture or a little chocolate or something... (will likely hit Home Bargains and Pound shops for a few things here...).

So we're talking about this and wandering around this huge food tent when we come across this woman selling make your own gingerbread houses and then decorate them with smarties and piped icing - with ALL the stuff including the little piping bag in a little kit for £4.95!! There we go! That can be one of the things the "elves" leave for the children to do one day!! So bought that.... and then saw all these cake stalls... and pork pie stalls.... and this woman selling chocolate truffles made to look like hedgehogs... and so, it was definitely NOT an NSD today. However, all the cake will be eaten by us all over the next few weeks with nice hot custard on after dinner for nice full tummies and (hopefully!) nice long sleeps!

I have probably all the stuff I'll need to make the sleigh (though I'm actually thinking of a small train - engine - as they both love them) but it's actually finding somewhere (and the time!) to MAKE it without Mr Sessie seeing it. It's either going to have to be at mum and dad's or at work on my lunches and breaks. Still, have time to sort that out, need to work on the design first - try it out with paper until I get a simple enough one that works and then go for the real one!! Am ridiculously excited about this - I know that this year the children won't really "get it" - I think they will go for me saying "where's <elf name> this morning?" when we get up and they will look for them and probably laugh when we find them doing funny things but I'm hoping it will be tradition we do year after year and the same elves coming back each year will delight them.

I think it's a really lovely idea and it can SO be done "on the cheap" - kids don't need cash lavishing, the only thing they need in excess is love - and mine don't suffer on that score!

On an absolutely unrelated note, need to remember that in November Solicitors all over the country will be doing free or very cheap Wills as it's National Will Month or something. I believe it's if you leave something to a charity in your Will - doesn't have to be much - you qualify. Mr Sessie and I really need to do this - since we had the children we haven't remade ours and we really should get on with it. I've put a reminder in my phone for last week in Oct.

We are almost scraping the barrel now for food - the cupboards haven't been this bare for a long long time. This coming week's shop is going to be a big one but we have proved that we CAN survive missing a week, albeit a bit scarily towards the end! We have loads of pasta and sauces and veg so we could probably survive another month but eating that EVERY night?? Uh... no ta!!
Put it this way, the CATS had half a tin of corned beef for their tea as we have NO cat food in!! We can't make pack ups for tomorrow as we have no marg OR mayo in, or cheese, or meat!! Still, if the shop comes in at less than £200 (which I'm sure it will!) we are still WELL under what we were spending. I do need some household stuff this time though, and some ingredients to make a load of chutney.

Going to have a look at an organic veg/fruit delivery box site now - neighbour already uses them (she gave me some of hers the other week, sure I posted on here about it but am too lazy to look back and check!) and they were at the event today so I got a price list. Also going to have a look at Ocado's site. Will be lucky if I make it to 9pm tonight before falling asleep as we spent a good few hours outside today in the fresh air, a good portion of that in the big play area going up and down slides and over wobbly bridges etc... there was NO sound from the children from when we put them to bed tonight, usually they play and shout for a good hour before settling down!!

Need to bring our two big concertina files of paperwork down one night early this week to sort it out in readiness for Financial Advisor next week, that's the real biggie I need to get done. Then, need to look back at all the "must-dos" that I HAVEN'T done and get onto them again! CURTAIN HOOKS and CAT FLAP anybody?!?!?!

Finally, we have succumbed and put the heating on (yesterday). Genuinely, really for the children as it's quite cold in the nursery overnight now (and for me when I have to go in at 3am!) and also on a morning when we come downstairs. Not all the rooms are on and the heating isn't yet on all day, just morning and evening to take the chill off. Hopefully if I get their duvet covers done this week as well (note the word hopefully!) we can keep it at that for a little longer!

So, off to look at butternut squashes and aubergines... until we meet again amigos!

x

Sessie

Just a very quick one today....

Am just about done writing shopping list for tomorrow having looked in the freezer and cupboards - where there was VERY little to base my meals for the week on! Tomorrow is going to be a bit of a big shop I think but I'll still go for offers and deals where I can.

Found a good recipe for a mince/veg base which you then split and use for shepherd's pie/chilli con carne/lasagne/spag bol etc.. so will prob have a go at that in the next few days. Any way to get veg veg veg into the children!

The Book People sent their monthly mag today and I think there are a couple of Xmas presents in there - only £3.99 each so will prob get a postal order for those in the next day or so. Also need to get one for the last magazine they sent for a joke present for Mr Sessie (which he will love but some family members read my diary so I can't say what it is in case it slips out when they're talking to him!). Have filled in the order form etc.. just need the postal order!

Also today I bought some of those belgian seashell chocs to add to mum and dad's hamper as they were £2 instead of £4.50 in the Co-op today.

The sloe gin is in the garage now (nowhere else to keep it) and being turned each time I go to the freezer. Need to sort a day to get to that shop in town and get the miniatures sorted.

Also need to ring both sisters to see if we can all get together and have a baking day in a few weeks. Baking is easier than cooking meals so if there are three of us we should get away with having a fun day AND entertaining the children. Who cares if we get flour everywhere? There's a bath upstairs!

Was reading the mortgages board today about overpaying - have added that to the questions to ask the Financial Advisor next week - ie; how to you set up DD to OVERpay rather than just the amount they want every month?

Also thinking of adding an extra £2,000 or £2,500 if we switch mortgage providers so we can pay off this cat converter the car needs (£800) and get it done with rather than having to save NOW when Xmas is coming with all its inherent expense and put the rest into a savings account which we can then build on but is there for emergencies. So it's a quick way to HAVE that emergency fund and also WAY better than putting anything that crops up on a card or borrowing from somewhere else. Am just thinking the way money is going out as quick as it is coming in at the moment and preventing us from saving NOW, it's going to take a good while before we build up any amount worth having so it might be prudent to have that "slush fund" ready and if it's added to the mortgage we won't notice the extra each month as it will be negligible. Anyhow, will talk this over with Moneybloke next week and see .....

Surprisingly, it's approaching 9pm and I'm finding it hard to keep my eyes open.... AGAIN! Will take shopping list upstairs with recipe book and pretend to myself I'm going to meal plan but probably just fall asleep again!!

G'night y'all

x

Sessie

Forgot to say... saw a great avatar at the side of someone's posts on one of the other boards today which I may adopt as my mantra...

"The best things in life are not things"

x

Sessie

Today was definitely NOT an NSD!! However I got a really good shop in at Mr M's (TONS of stuff, really stocked up, should be good for a couple of weeks at least, apart from fresh stuff), lots of nappies as they were on offer and..... I FOUND THE ELVES!! (not at Mr Mr's I might add!).

They were from a new store close to Mr M's called Home Sense - had NO clue it was there but went to have a quick look around as the children were asleep in the car when mum came to pick me up from work. They're actually NOT elves, one is a girl snow..er..girl, but really cute, not just two circles on top of each other. She has a sequinned dress on and a little hat and arms (bright gloves on her hands) and legs (cute boots on her feet). Her body is like a well stuffed beanbag and she sits up on things with her legs dangling down loosely. The other is more of a pixie, quite fat faced, red cheeks, beard... both really soft and cuddly. Cost £13 for both of them, which I'm pleased with. Now have a better idea of what size of the train/sleigh/whatever they're going to arrive in needs to be. Co-incidentally, one of the boxes of nappies I bought was a rectangle one (with 93 in) and the others were squares (with 68 in) so I think I know what's happening to those now.... :T

Bought the ingredients (apart from apples, mum's tree is STILL producing!) to make a job lot of chutney later this week and loads of meat and veg to batch make some food - probably at the weekend. Put £20 in the car rather than filling it up as I can't think of anywhere we'll be going much in the next week. Mr Sessie and I are on holiday from work next week but I would think we'll stay local and just go out for days with the children and to see family. The break is more about spending time together as with us both working we don't spend a great deal of time together as a four, it's either the children with mum and dad when we're at work OR just with me when Mr Sessie is at work OR with Mr Sessie and his parents when I'm at work.

Am going to make a lovely curry for Friday with a sauce mix I got at the fayre at the weekend. It smells UTTERLY gorgeous. Both sisters and the bf are coming over for the evening.

Going to watch Holby City now and jot some pics down of the sort of train I can make and how I can put it together. I'm ridiculously excited about this!!

Oh, also found some really nice ideas to make *rather than buy* some more Xmas presents so will be costing those up too.

*have been away from this post for 40 minutes since I started it as Boychild was a bit weepy... just about done in for today*

x